CHAPTER MEETING - 6PM

EAA Chapter 237 Calendar of Events

Monday January 26th, 2015
January:
A Big Thanks! to all who attended and enjoyed the
Located at:
food and visiting with fellow members and visitors.
Jan 24th - Workshop canceled will reschedule
8891 Airport Rd NE
We had about 75 total for breakfast, however the good
Blaine, MN 55449
Jan 26th - Chapter meeting night starting at 6pm
news is that we had our members from Forest Lake, We hope to see you there!
ION presentation by Steve Schultz
friends from Rush City, visitors from Princeton and
th
st
Jan 29 -Feb 1 - Oshkosh EAA B-25 work party at EAA HQ.
other ANE airport friends in attendance.

The Presidents Soapbox

By Robert Heavirland

I want to thank my kitchen staff, John Daugherty sausage fryer

extraordinaire, Bert Olson the egg man, and Jack Smith coffee and
buffet table boss.

February:

Thank you to all of our members who helped with setup and
teardown. I got lots of good comments from visitors about our
chapter, the breakfast, and how it was nice to come to the airport and
have a meal and visit. I told them we have a great team of members
who make it all happen.

Feb 12th - Chapter 237 Board Meeting

After serving 75 people, through the great showing of teamwork we

were all cleaned up and out of the way before the next group came in
at noon. It couldn't have happened without your help! We cleared
roughly $250 profit, plus many members took the opportunity to
renew their membership (which is not included in the total).
Due to a scheduling conflict the electronics workshop will be
rescheduled for a later date. It is way more than we can do so we
will need to pick and chose a little, With our being asked to help the
AOPA for two activities, MN 99's, MN Pilots Association it is more
than we can handle. We can help all of them, however we may need
to reschedule a work shop. Sorry, as I know members were looking
forward to this workshop. -Best regards, Bob

Upcoming EAA B-25 Work Party Update

Kirk is maintaining a list of the volunteers along with the ground
transportation arrangements of those who are participating in this
months EAA B-25 chapter work party from January 29th - Feb 1st.
Please contact Kirk ASAP if you would like to go. Just like the
military, we'll "Leave no one behind"! Current headcount is an
estimated 20 volunteers, which might be our largest work party ever!
Kirks info - Email: fjetfamily@msn.com Phone: 651-331-9905

Feb 7th - Oshkosh Skiplane Fly-in at EAA HQs Pioneer Airport

Feb 15th - Movie Night starting at 5:00pm
Feb 21st - Breakfast social at our chapter building
Feb 23rd - Chapter meeting night starting at 6pm
Als Mountain Flying & Aircraft Tie Downs presentation at 8pm
Feb 28th-March 1st - 2nd Oshkosh EAA B-25 work party at EAA HQ

Upcoming Seminar
After the CrashSurviving an aircraft accident
"Of the millions of GA flights every year, only a few end with unplanned
off-airport landings. But even though the odds of a crash are slim, the
potential consequences are harshwhich is why smart pilots prepare and
take basic precautions. Thats where our new seminar comes in. From route
planning and emergency rations to signal mirrors and sat phones, our
presenters take a user-friendly, common sense approach at maximizing your
chances of survival and rescue after a crash. Well talk about: The essential
ingredients of a good survival kit Simple but effective ways to help
searchers find you The first steps you should take after a crash Survival
strategies while awaiting rescue."

AOPA Air Safety Institute

in association with
EAA Chapter 237 presents:
When:
Tuesday, April 7th, 2015
Where:
Key Air Twin Cities KANE
9877 North Airport Rd. NE
Blaine, MN 55449

BIG Screen Video/Movie Night

The next video/movie night is SUN Feb 15th, 2015

5pm - 7pm Videos and EAA HQ videos
7pm - 9pm MAIN FEATURE Movie
As usual pizza, pop, coffee and other goodies are included.
If you havent attended, take some time & come out and enjoy!
DUE TO VALENTINES DAY, THE NEXT MOVIE NIGHT
HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY, FEB. 15th! We have some
great movie choices along with plenty of new videos for February.
In January, we had a double feature movie event! Dont miss out!!!

Please consider submitting an article next month. To do so please contact your newsletter editor Becky at ibecktec@hotmail.com

2014 Christmas Party Highlights!

December 22 , 2014
nd

As 2014 drew to an end, EAA Chapter 237 members and family get
together each year to celebrate Christmas, each years many and
varied accomplishments, and to hand out the achievement awards as
a thank you to our members who have donated their time to help
promote the chapters aviation events. It is a time that family
members, who for some rarely come to the hangar, get a chance to
see what the chapter has been doing and where their missing husband
has been all year long! We got to see Als new electric trike that he has been working on and plans
for the new airplane project for bigger kids who cant fit into the pedal planes. This year our
president and some other members were out sick. VP Dick McKenney (above) filled in as our
master of ceremonies for the evening. He had some good stories to tell and kept the momentum
moving right along for the event. Good food, both provided by the chapter and by members as part
of the pot luck made for a tasty buffet! We had a estimated 70+ people in attendance. Seating was
at capacity!
This year, Al Eke has won the 2015 Wally Swanson Award! This
award is very special and is based on his contributions to the chapter
over the last year. Al is very active in the chapter and has donated his
time to help other members, volunteered in many events, provided
many tools in our workshop area for members to use (and return). In
fact, Al has been an invaluable Chapter 237 member for decades! He
has participated in nearly every OSH work party, and even had one of
his planes featured on the cover and with an article in EAA Sport
Aviation (02/2006). Al will be celebrating his 80th birthday at this months B-25 Work Party.
Make sure to wish Al a very happy birthday and congratulations when you see him!
Lex Crawley, (below), put on a great presentation with lots of pictures and even some recovered
aircraft parts. Lex shared stories of recovering WWII aircraft. It is sometimes hard to fathom the
work that goes into just being able to find the wrecks. Then there is the whole removal process and
legal battles, and even criminal charges that were threaten against Lex in one case by the US
Government upon retrieving an aircraft in North Carolina. This all before one can start to rebuild
and restore the warbirds back to flying condition.
A great time was had by all and we will hope to see everyone again at the 2015 Christmas party!

LOCAL FLY-INS & EVENTS

Compiled by Chapter 237 member Randy Delfel

There may be inclement weather, changes, cancellations or editing mistakes beyond my control.
Please call ahead to verify that the event is taking place as scheduled.

JANUARY 2015
EAA Chapter 745 Skiplane Fly-In/Drive-In Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, January 31, 2015 9am - 12pm (noon)
Bensons Airport (6MN9)
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
There is normally fuel on the airport, but call ahead. Runway is not plowed.
For more information, please contact: Kim 763-503-0161, Airport Phone: 651-429-0315 or visit EAA Chapter 745

FEBRUARY 2015
Log Cabin Airports 15th Annual Ski Fly-In
Sunday, Feb 15, 2015 10am
Log Cabin Airport (WS69)
S145 Segerstrom Rd., Mondovi, WI 54755
Lunch at 12:00 PM (noon). Chili, Hot Dogs, Refreshments, Etc.

Warroad Minnesota Lions 37th Annual Skiplane Fly-In and Breakfast

February 22, 2015 8am - 12pm (noon)
Skiplanes land on the Warroad River, wheel planes at the Warroad Airport (KRRT). Shuttle service is available.
For more information, please contact: Dave Paulson 218-386-1818, 218-386-2098 or email dpaulson@ssbwarroad.com

MARCH 2015
ICEPORT 2015
Saturday, March 7th, 2015 10am - 3pm
Twin Pines Resort - Mille Lacs Lake, MN
Come join us for some wonderful food, excellent conversation and that special thing that makes this little fly-in on ice so very
extraordinary: the airplane. Who knows, you just may win a prize or two.
Rain date is March 14th. Watch www.facebook.com/eaa551 for the latest details.

A Tree of Hope Thank You Email We Received!

From: Elaine Morrow
Subject: A hospital thank you!

Just received a nice, hand-written note from a pediatric nurse at one of our TOH hospitals, and I'm not going to
tell you which hospital, so you can each think it was one of yours. Actually, the thank you DOES belong to
EVERYONE, anyway, whether you donated, labeled and sorted, bagged, or delivered toys, you each had a part.
Elaine,
I have worked in peds for over 30 years, and for many of those years the Tree of Hope has blessed us with toys to
give out to sick kids at Christmas. I wish you could see their smiles! I gave one small boy a package that
contained a group of cars, and he kept asking if it was for him, and could he keep it. Thank you from the
pediatric nurses.
THANK YOU!
Please also share with your EAA chapter members.
Elaine Morrow

UPCOMING EVENT SIGNUP!

Annual EAA Skiplane Fly-In 2015, will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at EAA HQ, Oshkosh.

One of the areas most colorful events, the annual EAA Skiplane Fly-In, will be held on Sat, February 7th
at the EAA AirVenture Museums Pioneer Airport in Oshkosh. In past years, more than 30 skiplanes landed
at Pioneer Airport to participate in the event, showcasing this unique segment of flight that is quite popular
throughout many parts of North America.
The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 1:30 p.m. Most skiplanes arrive (weather and runway conditions
permitting) mid-morning and stay until mid-afternoon. In the event weather or snow conditions do not permit
aircraft arrivals at Pioneer Airport, several other activities will continue as planned, including complimentary
chili and cake served beginning at 10:30 a.m.
The EAA Skiplane Fly-In is free of charge to the general public. Signs will direct visitors to the skiplane area
upon arrival to the museum. Shuttle services will also operate from Basler Flight Service for those landing at
Wittman Regional Airport. Regular admission rates apply for guests visiting the museum itself.
EAA Chapter 237 has volunteered our services for this event to help marshal aircraft, help with parking and
control the crowd. For more information or if you want to volunteer, there will be a sign-up sheet passed
around at the chapter meeting on Monday night. Otherwise, please contact Randy Delfel at 612-360-8253.

Date-

Time-

Webinar Subject

1/28/15
7 pm
Weight and Balance for Pilots
A discussion of weight and balance from a pilot's perspective, presented by Prof. H. Paul Shuch. The objectives of the presentation
include: Define torque, datum, station, weight, arm, moment, and CG; Given maximum gross weight and empty weight, compute
useful load and payload; Perform calculations of total weight and center of gravity; Explain the importance of proper aircraft loading;
Understand why CG varies throughout flight; Ensure that the aircraft is always being operated within its safe loading envelope
2/4/15
8 pm
Ferry Permits
There are times when it is necessary to fly an aircraft even when it's not in airworthy condition. That's why the FAA invented ferry
permits. Maintenance expert Mike Busch discusses when they're needed, explains exactly how to get one, and discusses the rules for
making ferry flights. Qualifies for FAA Wings and AMT credit.
2/10/15
12 pm
Why Wait? Expedited and Expanded Aviation Financing
Obtaining financing for your next aircraft, experimental kit, engine or avionics upgrade is not complicated. Kevin Buckland, President
of National Aircraft Finance Company, will explain the procedures and requirements to obtain a pre-approval, submit an application,
and secure aviation financing. NAFCO is the administrative agent for the EAA Finance Solutions program, and one of two approved
banking partners for NextGen GA avionics upgrade loans (including ADS-B).
2/18/15
7 pm
B-17: The Final Mission
EAA staffer Chris Henry will discuss the human side of being a crew member on a B-17 in World War II. Part of his presentation will
include his extensive collection of rare photographs, and compelling stories of the veterans who served on B-17 air crews. Chris will
also share anecdotes heard firsthand from WWII B-17 veterans who have experienced a ride on EAAs operational B-17G Flying
Fortress Aluminum Overcast that tours the country year-round.
2/25/15
7 pm
How to Successfully Build a Pietenpol Air Camper
Building a Pietenpol Air Camper as a group is a simple, inexpensive, and rewarding way to teach building techniques while boosting
confidence in chapter members who are new to aircraft building. Steve Williamson, president of EAA Chapter 1297, will discuss how
his chapter successfully built a Pietenpol. The presentation will help you overcome obstacles, avoid pitfalls, and maximize your
chances for success.
3/4/15
8 pm
Cam Distress
If your engine fails to make TBO, chances are the reason will be that it has developed a bad cam lobe or spalled lifters. But many
engines are condemned to a costly cam transplant unnecessarily or prematurely. Maintenance expert Mike Busch discusses the proper
way to evaluate cam condition and make a well-informed decision as to whether "it's time" or not. Qualifies for FAA Wings and AMT
credit.
4/1/15
8 pm
The Decision Point
During every annual inspection, there's a specific moment in time when the aircraft owner needs to get involved in the decision
making process to ensure he stays in control and obtains a satisfactory outcome with no surprises. Maintenance expert Mike Busch
defines this crucial "decision point" and explains what steps an owner should take to make certain the right things happen when it
comes. Qualifies for FAA Wings and AMT credit.
4/15/15
7 pm
Introduction to Float Plane Techniques
Ever dreamed of flying float planes? Learn the basic techniques and procedures for Seaplane flying. From step taxi to glassy water
landings. Presented by Drew Haag, a 16 year Alaskan Seaplane Instructor at Above Alaska Aviation, LLC. Qualifies for FAA Wings
credit.
5/6/15
8 pm
Engine Teardowns
The decision to tear down an engine is one of the most serious and expensive that any aircraft owner will have to face. Maintenance
expert Mike Busch discusses the right way to make this crucial decision, and how to avoid the kind of unnecessary or premature
engine teardowns that happen all too frequently. Qualifies for FAA Wings and AMT credit.
5/21/15
7 pm
Emergency Bailout Procedures for Pilots and Survival Equipment
IAC member Allen Silver speaks on all aspects of emergency parachute usage and bailout procedures. Including mental attitude,
preflight preparation, exiting a disabled aircraft, deploying your parachute, and landing safely back on earth. Allen also discusses
steps you can take to increase your chances of surviving a bailout once on the ground. Qualifies for FAA Wings credit.
Registration is required, and space is limited.
Sign up at: http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviation-education-and-resources/aviation-videos-and-aviation-photos/eaa-webinars

Kirks commentary, tips

and

Aviation wacky area

Estimating Cloud Bases

Many pilots are not a fan of rules of thumb with respect to weather. Largely this is because those
rules don't work in many circumstances. However, one of the rules of thumb that tends to work
pretty well for estimating the base of the lowest cloud deck is derived from the temperature and
dew point temperature at the surface.
Here's what you do. First, find the dew point depression in degrees Fahrenheit that's the
temperature-dew point spread. Next, double it. Finally, add two zeros to the result.
Solving for dew point temperature formula:

(f) - Relative humidity

(T) - Temperature

For example, assume the temperature at the surface is 59F and the dew point is 57F. The dew
point depression (temperature dew point) is 2 degrees. Doubling this leads to a 4 and adding
two zeros results in an estimate for the cloud bases of 400 feet AGL.
This rule of thumb works pretty well for cumuliform and strati-form clouds as long as it isn't
raining or snowing. Snow and especially rain tends to raise the dew point temp a bit which will
provide an artificially lower cloud base when using this rule of thumb.

The Spirits of Aviation

USS Hornet CV-8/CV-12

Eight ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Hornet, after the stinging insect.
USS Hornet (1775), was a ten-gun sloop commissioned in 1775, and served in the American
Revolutionary War. USS Hornet (1805 sloop), was also a ten-gun sloop and took part in the First
Barbary War. USS Hornet (1805 brig), was a brig-rigged sloop of war launched on 28 July 1805
and sank in a storm on 29 September 1829. USS Hornet (1813) was a five-gun schooner used as
a dispatch vessel between 1814 and 1820. USS Hornet (1865), the first to be steam propelled,
was an iron, side-wheeled steamer. USS Hornet (1898), a converted yacht, was a dispatch vessel
in the SpanishAmerican War. USS Hornet (CV-8), launched the Doolittle Raid in 1942, fought
at the Battle of Midway, and was sunk at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942.
USS Hornet (CV-12) was originally named Kearsarge, but renamed in honor of CV-8 and active
through the rest of World War II and is preserved as a museum ship in Alameda, California.
A number of people claim to have seen ghosts on the aircraft carrier Hornet, a floating museum
berthed at Pier 3 at the former Naval Air Station Alameda, California. Described by some as the
most haunted ship in the Navy, purported ghost sightings on this World War II-era aircraft carrier
are numerous. From suicides to freak accidents, some 300 sailors lost their lives aboard the
warship over its 27 years of service. And many are said to linger. Disembodied voices, uniformed
sailors appearing and disappearing, and radios and other equipment turning on and off are some of
the spirit-world reports from the ship.
The ship is now a San Francisco-area museum, and you can judge for yourself. The museum
offers regular spooky, late-night guided tours and special overnight sleep-aboards for small groups
who want to investigate our well known paranormal hot-spots, according to the Hornets
website. Based on volunteer, staff and visitor reports, as many as 50 ghosts roam the ship.
Duluth International Airport (DLH) is haunted by a woman who was killed on a road nearby.
She has been spotted by security and has set off alarms and made doors open and close on their
own. She is thought to haunt the airport because this is where her murderer went directly after
stabbing her.

The Secrets of Aviation

Powered flight may have started with the Wright brothers, but many other aviation
pioneers made significant contributions. Every month I will provide one of the fascinating
individuals, facts, or accomplishments that are The Secrets of Aviation.
If I can create the minimum of my plans and desires there shall be no regrets.

Bessie Coleman (1892 -1926), the first African American female pilot, grew up in a cruel world of poverty and
discrimination. It was soldiers returning from World War I with wild tales of flying exploits who first interested
Coleman in aviation. Very few American women of any race had pilot's licenses in 1918. Those who did were
predominantly white and wealthy. Every flying school that Coleman approached refused to admit her because
she was both black and a woman. On the advice of Robert Abbott, the owner of the "Chicago Defender" and one
of the first African American millionaires, Coleman decided to learn to fly in France.
Coleman took a French-language class at the Berlitz school in Chicago, and then traveled to Paris on November
20, 1920, so she could earn her pilot license. She learned to fly in a Nieuport Type 82 biplane, with "a steering
system that consisted of a vertical stick the thickness of a baseball bat in front of the pilot and a rudder bar under
the pilot's feet." WWI American ace pilots Eddie Rickenbacker and Billy Bishop flew Nieuport aircraft to some
of their first victories.

Nieuport 21 fighter
During her training Coleman witnessed a fellow student die in a plane crash, which she described as a "terrible
shock" to her nerves On June 15, 1921, Coleman became not only the first woman of African-American descent
to earn an international aviation license from the Fdration Aronautique Internationale, and the first American
of any gender or ethnicity to do so, but the first woman of African-American descent to earn an aviation pilot's
license. Determined to polish her skills, Coleman spent the next two months taking lessons from a French ace
pilot near Paris, and in September 1921, she sailed for New York.
Over the next five years Coleman performed at countless air shows. The first took place on September 3, 1922,
in Garden City, Long Island. The "Chicago Defender" publicized the event saying the "wonderful little woman"
Bessie Coleman would do "heart thrilling stunts." According to a reporter from Kansas, as many as 3,000
people, including local dignitaries, attended the event. Over the following years, Coleman used her position of
prominence to encourage other African Americans to fly. She also made a point of refusing to perform at
locations that wouldn't admit members of her race.
On April 30, 1926, Coleman was in Jacksonville, Florida. She had recently purchased a Curtiss JN-4 (Jenny) in
Dallas. Her mechanic and publicity agent, William Wills, flew the plane from Dallas in preparation for an
airshow but had to make three forced landings along the way due to the plane's being so poorly maintained and
worn out. Upon learning this, Coleman's friends and family did not consider the aircraft safe and implored her
not to fly it. On take-off, Wills was flying the plane with Coleman in the other seat. She had not put on her
seatbelt because she was planning a parachute jump for the next day and wanted to look over the cockpit sill to
examine the terrain. About ten minutes into the flight at 3,500 feet, the plane unexpectedly dived, then spun
around. Coleman was thrown from the plane at 2,000 feet and died instantly when she hit the ground. William
Wills was unable to regain control of the plane and it plummeted to the ground. Wills died upon impact and the
plane burst into flames. Although the wreckage of the plane was badly burned, it was later discovered that a
wrench used to service the engine had slid into the gearbox and jammed it. Coleman was just 34 years old.

EAA C HAPTER 237

8891 A IRPORT R OAD , B OX C-12
B LAINE , MN 55449

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

Things which do you no good in aviation:
The sky above you. The runway behind you. The fuel
still in the truck. Half a second ago. Approach plates
in the car. The airspeed you don't have.

Check out our

YouTube Channel
EAA237Video

Check us out on
Facebook!
EAA Chapter 237